Although opening day is still about three months away, it’s not too soon for Major League Baseball to implement security procedures for 2012 that are similar to those introduced by the NFL .
In order to ensure that Americans continue to enjoy their freedoms, NFL teams now check all bags and use hand-held metal detectors at security checkpoints. All fans are subject to a pat down that includes the area from the knees to the ankles.
Baseball’s security screening procedures are woefully inadequate. Most teams merely check bags for items such as hard-sided coolers, cans, bottles (except sealed water bottles of 16 oz or less), glass containers of any kind, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances and firearms. That is fine, but there is a screaming need for the use of metal detectors as well as enhanced pat downs.
Some teams, including the New York Yankees, put fans on notice that they consent to and are subject to metal detector and physical pat-down inspections prior to entry.
A small minority of individuals is upset by the enhanced security. Some claim that their freedoms are being denied and their privacy is being compromised.
The reality is that enhanced security results in enhanced freedoms.
What would happen if an enemy of the greatest country in the world were to commit an act that used to unthinkable? Is an individual’s privacy worth compromising the prevention of a dastardly act by those who hate our free way of life?
Communications corporations, Internet search engines, cities and even automobiles “compromise” privacy. Americans still use modern communications devices, surf the Internet, are used to webcams and want their cars to tell them where they are located in the shopping mall’s parking lot.
Those who protect the American people would be forced to implement extreme measures at a tremendous financial cost that would change the way we live if there were a terrorist attack at a sports stadium.
Baseball is still considered our national pastime. Nothing says America more than baseball. There are no football games on the Fourth of July.
Please, Mr. Selig. Help protect the American baseball fan.